El Cid: The Legend

Ben Yusuf invades the Muslim Taifa of Zaragoza, igniting his campaign to conquer the Iberian Peninsula. Al-Mu'tamin flees to Castile to warn King Ferdinand of the looming war. This invasion sets the stage for Rodrigo's future choices.

In Castile, Rodrigo Díaz de Vivar enjoys the privileges of being the son of Ferdinand's commander. He is close friends with the future king Sancho and secretly involved with Jimena, the daughter of Count Gormaz. Gormaz disapproves of the romance, creating tension at court.

Rodrigo joins a scouting mission near the Castilian border with Sancho, Ordoñez and Gormaz after news of the Almoravid advance. Gormaz is ambushed by Al-Mu'tamin, but Rodrigo intervenes to defend his companions. After the clash, Al-Mu'tamin speaks with Sancho and is allowed to return to Castile.

Sometime after Ferdinand's death, Urraca plots to have Sancho killed so Alfonso can be crowned. Gormaz confronts Rodrigo on Jimena's request; a duel is arranged over Rodrigo's future. The assassin sent by Urraca stabs Sancho in the back, and Rodrigo accidentally kills Gormaz; Jimena is distraught and drives Rodrigo away.

Alfonso is crowned king, but Rodrigo refuses to kneel and challenges his legitimacy. Alfonso has Rodrigo swear he had nothing to do with Gormaz's death, and then banishes him from Castile without honor.

Rodrigo flees to Zaragoza with Álvar Fáñez, Garcés, and Al-Mu'tamin following the banishment. They decide to reclaim Emir Al-Muqtadir's castle and free the enslaved Muslims of Zaragoza.

At Al-Mu'tamin's suggestion, the four infiltrate the castle with Garcés' adopted badger, Ruidoso, and free Al-Muqtadir along with other enslaved people. Rodrigo is appointed commander of Al-Muqtadir's forces and begins reclaiming the lands seized by Yusuf in the king's name.

Rodrigo receives a letter from Alfonso asking for help, but he returns to Castile to confront the king and refuses to aid Yusuf. Alfonso imprisons him, and Urraca later frees him from prison, on the condition that he kill Alfonso. This sequence locks Rodrigo into a dangerous political trap.

Rodrigo enters Alfonso's chamber and reveals that Urraca orchestrated Sancho's death, brandishing the dagger as proof. Alfonso relents, allowing Rodrigo to escape. He seeks Jimena, but she rejects him, still believing he murdered her father, and Rodrigo departs Castile.

Alfonso summons Don Diego to court to confirm Rodrigo's freedom. Diego denies having freed Rodrigo, claiming he met Alfonso at the time of Rodrigo's escape. Convinced that Urraca orchestrated the events, Alfonso has Urraca arrested and begins to align with Rodrigo's cause.

Jimena changes her mind and follows Rodrigo toward Valencia, hoping to join him. Ordoñez pursues them, and both are captured by Emir Al-Qadir, an ally of Yusuf. The capture forces Rodrigo to reconsider his immediate plans.

Rodrigo and his allies infiltrate Yusuf's castle in Zaragoza and plan to open the gates for a siege. The plan goes awry and Rodrigo is forced to surrender after Yusuf threatens Jimena. Rodrigo and Garcés escape, Garcés opening the gates for their breakthrough, as Al-Mu'tamin's forces arrive to siege.

Rodrigo faces Yusuf in a climactic duel; the tide turns as Yusuf gains the upper hand. Ordoñez and Jimena escape the chaos, and Jimena retrieves Yusuf's sword, allowing Rodrigo to disarm Yusuf and secure victory.

Alfonso pardons Rodrigo and grants him his blessing to marry Jimena. Ordoñez offers a conciliatory gesture and joins them on the journey to Valencia. Rodrigo is granted dominion over Valencia as the campaign concludes.