El Cid, The Legend

Ben Yusuf launches a campaign into the Muslim Taifa of Zaragoza, triggering a regional war. Al-Mu'tamin flees with his supporters to Castile to warn King Ferdinand of the invasion. The border conflict begins to pull Castile, Zaragoza, and the rest of Iberia toward a prolonged struggle.

Rodrigo Díaz de Vivar lives a life of privilege as the son of Don Diego Laínez de Vivar and moves in the inner circle with Sancho and Gormaz. He is secretly romantically involved with Jimena, the daughter of Count Gormaz. The mounting tension between personal loyalties and political expectations foreshadows the trials to come.

Rodrigo joins Sancho, Ordoñez, and Gormaz on a scouting mission near the border to Zaragoza. Gormaz is ambushed by Al-Mu'tamin and his warriors, and Rodrigo intervenes to save his friend. After the encounter, Al-Mu'tamin speaks and is allowed to accompany them back to Castile.

During a later courtly moment, Gormaz meets Rodrigo on a balcony to discuss Jimena's future, and Gormaz challenges him to a duel. In the ensuing fight, Urraca's agents assassinate Sancho, stabbing him in the back. Rodrigo, meanwhile, accidentally kills Gormaz, devastating Jimena and driving him away.

King Alfonso is crowned after Ferdinand's death, and Urraca's plots dominate court. Rodrigo refuses to kneel and defends his own honor, while Alfonso questions him about Sancho's death. Alfonso banishes Rodrigo without honor, severing his standing at court.

Rodrigo flees Castile and rejoins his friends Álvar Fáñez and Garcés in Zaragoza, where Al-Mu'tamin also reappears. They resolve to reclaim the castle of Emir Al-Muqtadir and push back Yusuf's gains. The alliance marks the beginning of Rodrigo's long journey from exile to military command.

With Garcés' help and Al-Mu'tamin's support, Rodrigo infiltrates the Zaragoza fortress and frees Emir Al-Muqtadir and enslaved Muslims, earning the nickname El Cid. He is appointed commander of Al-Muqtadir's forces and begins reclaiming lands in Yusuf's name to restore his lost honor. He becomes known as El Cid among the Muslims.

Rodrigo receives a letter from Alfonso requesting his help against Yusuf, but he objects, arguing Yusuf intends to seize Valencia. Alfonso offers to pardon Rodrigo if he agrees to aid him, but Rodrigo refuses and returns to Castile in defiance. Urraca later frees him from prison with the same dagger used on Sancho and tries to persuade him to kill Alfonso.

Jimena follows Rodrigo to Valencia, torn between love and loyalty. Ordoñez pursues them, but they are captured by Emir Al-Qadir, an ally of Yusuf. The pursuit deepens Rodrigo's entanglement with the political struggle surrounding Valencia.

Rodrigo and his friends infiltrate Yusuf's castle in Zaragoza, hoping to open the gates and enable a siege. The plan goes awry, and Rodrigo is forced to surrender after Yusuf threatens Jimena. They escape when Garcés opens the gates and Rodrigo's forces, led by Al-Mu'tamin, siege the castle.

Rodrigo confronts Yusuf; Yusuf gains the upper hand and disarms him. Ordoñez and Jimena escape the chaotic confrontation. With Alfonso's forces arriving, Rodrigo defeats Yusuf when Jimena retrieves Yusuf's sword, tipping the battle in their favor.

Alfonso pardons Rodrigo and blesses his marriage to Jimena; Ordoñez accepts and joins them. The couple heads toward Valencia, where Rodrigo is granted dominion and a stable future with Jimena.