Original subtitles

You have risen early to speak with God.

I never forget my duty to him, Monsignor.

Really? I didn't see you praying.

And in your eyes I see not devotion, but reproach.

I know.

We tend to blame God for all our ills,

when they almost always come from our own decisions.

And what happens when the pain is someone else's fault?

In no way should we allow ourselves to be dragged down by resentment.

Because not far away lies anger.

King Sancho is a clear example.

Only you can prevent this war.

-I'm afraid I can't. -Can't or won't?

-This decision is not in my hands. -You are wrong.

I am certain that you are the one who can change things.

Isn't war a way to change everything?

It is.

But it also carries a very high cost. That's something you should never forget.

I have to go. Please excuse me.

Go with God, Ruy.

Only He can guide your path.

The Legend of El Cid

I believe in one God, the Father Almighty,

maker of heaven and earth,

and of all things visible and invisible.

God of God,

Light of Light.

Are you going to let García get away with this?

I will not help you with your quarrels.

I don't need your help, just your permission to pass through León.

Those lands don't interest him at all.

I'm just the first step, and you know it.

If you do not let me pass, I will consider you to be on his side

-and therefore also my enemy. -Sancho, please!

You have my permission.

Lord,

will there be salvation for me?

Come on. It's all right.

Velarde, arrange everything, we are going to war with Galicia.

-My Lord, the queen mother did not want-- -Please, Velarde!

Ruy, go on ahead.

Get the army ready and prepared for my arrival.

It will be done, My Lord.

Ruy!

Castile's men have my permission to cross over to Galicia.

My Lord,

if Sancho is going to pass through here, it's a chance to finish off an enemy.

-Defeating Sancho will not be easy. -Why?

Because your grandson is with him?

-My Lord, I agree with the bishop. -I will not attack my brother.

-I have given him my word. -What if he attacks León?

He will pass through here with all his troops.

No. Sancho would not do that.

I agree, Your Highness.

Not even if he returns victorious from Galicia?

The taste of blood makes the wolf more ferocious.

If only I were the wind

To caress your hair

If only I were water

To refresh your face

If only I were a servant Of your heart

And your thoughts.

And if only I were deaf, I wouldn't have to listen to you.

You're jealous that he has the ladies' attention.

I liked you better before you went to Galicia.

Yeah, I know that.

Lisardo, why don't you let Ermesinda play?

Her voice is a gift to the ears.

-Young Álvar, you still remember. -I'd never forget the voice of an angel.

That's poetry, and not what you do.

Shut up.

Ermesinda.

Let's go.

Ruy!

I am so sorry.

-Why is everything so complicated? -My lady...

I must follow an order from King Sancho. At once.

This is not a tavern. Get out.

I wish it were.

We return to Burgos.

Castile is going to war with Galicia.

What do you mean, war with Galicia?

-And Nuño? Ruy, you-- -That decision is not up to us.

All this is over my lands.

Ruy, you can stop this. Sancho listens to you.

This time he won't, my lady.

Don't return to Galicia. We don't have to stand against each other.

I can't abandon García now.

You know that better than anyone.

I was looking for you, Monsignor.

Here is the payment for the master stonemason.

You have been very generous in funding

the construction of the statue of your late mother.

She would be proud.

Come with me and you can see the final result of the work.

-No, I'm in a hurry. -You look tired.

Do you have worries?

Talking to God in confession always helps.

My brothers are preparing for a war, Monsignor.

Keep praying.

Maybe that way the sculptor won't have to make any more statues.

My father always came up here to think.

But I can't do so clearly.

My Lord, may I speak frankly?

Orduño, you are the Count of León and the first of my knights.

If you cannot do so, nobody can.

I think we should attack Sancho when he passes through León.

Our army is greater in number.

Summon the council, Orduño. And send for Urraca.

My Lord, I must make a request.

It is my intention to marry Jimena if Your Highness will allow me.

You think now is a good time to marry, Orduño?

For God's sake, we are on the verge of war!

-My Lord, I-- -Enough!

Do as I have commanded.

Yes, My Lord.

-They are ready, My Lord. -Good.

As soon as I've rested, we will leave for León.

I don't like the look in Ruy's eyes.

It reminds me of a man I served with years ago.

A man who ended up badly.

His father, right, master?

You must stay close to him. He needs you, even if he doesn't know it.

King Sancho, I am your advisor, as I was for your father.

I shouldn't have to prove my loyalty to you.

-And I do not doubt it, Velarde. -Get out!

I must urge you not to march against your brother.

I do not doubt your good intentions.

But justice is more important than blood.

But not more so than God. You swore an oath before your father!

And so did García!

So did García, and he broke it.

My Lord,

-I too beg you not to go to war. -What the hell is going on?

Why won't you support me in this?

Ruy, are you going to turn your back on me too?

Your Highness was granted the kingdoms of León and Galicia.

And when they were taken from you, you accepted your father's will.

They also plotted against my king to take the taxes of Zaragoza

and other loyalties that were rightfully yours.

I bear witness. If we do not move against Galicia,

how long before Alfonso and García ally themselves

and come after us?

-That might never happen. -But if it happens,

it may be too late for Castile.

I will follow my king to war if that is his will.

-Jimena! -My lady.

-Where were you? -Talking to Orduño.

When are you getting married?

The king has decided that this is not the time.

They decide, Jimena. They decide for us. I've had enough!

Is it any use worrying about things that are beyond our control?

At least you know that sooner or later

you will marry Orduño, but what do I have to look forward to, Jimena?

My father condemned me to be single for life.

Be patient, my lady.

-Perhaps-- -Perhaps what?

Jimena, perhaps what?

I'm going to renounce Toro.

-But you inherited that estate. -No.

I inherited a convent that I'm locked up in. I don't want it.

I will give Toro to my brother and ask him to let me get married.

If that is what you want,

I hope with all my heart that the king will accept.

Jimena, I'm going to ask him to let me marry Ruy.

-Ruy? -Can you think of anyone better than him?

You left without saying a word to me.

I had to fulfill a command from the king.

You should fulfill the commands of my heart.

It never wants you to part with it.

What happened in León--

Our bodies spoke an ancient language

that only the soul hears.

I thought I would never belong to anyone, but...

I didn't know you.

You have turned my pride into a slave to your love.

Amina, I don't--

Quiet.

Ruy!

My king.

What are you doing?

I can hit.

You cannot accompany me into battle.

-Sweet Mother of God. -Shit.

Me with you, Sancho.

By the nails of Christ! Is there no one to make her understand?

Ruy! Do something or I'll have to chain my wife up.

-I think she wants to protect you. -Damn it! I'm the king of Castile!

Do I need my wife to protect me?

I think she would do very well.

-Velarde! No. -Sancho!

-Sancho! -I said no!

-Go back inside! -Sons of bitches! Swine! Damn it!

Damn it! Sons of bitches!

Sounds like the queen has mastered our language.

She's a strong woman.

That's exactly what I'm...

She's stronger than me, Ruy.

We fight and... And she can beat me!

-And that has me... -Confused.

No! No.

I like it.

And that's strange, it has to be. I don't know. What do you think?

I think that the children you have will grow up strong as bulls.

Do you think Telmo has his father's broadsword?

No. He's not that big.

Well, just give it time. We've all grown up since we were pages.

Yeah.

You think about that too?

-About what? Screwing? Every day. -No, Álvar.

About Nuño.

What happens if we run into him on the battlefield?

What happens? Nothing happens, Lisardo.

We avoid it. You go fight someone else and ignore him.

But what if one of our own tries to kill him?

Enough, Lisardo, please.

I want to kill myself on the first attack so I don't have to live through it.

-What about him? -Him, what?

Do you think he will want to kill us?

Shit.

I beg you, my lady, to watch over me

and spare me from having to kill my friends

and from having my friends kill me.

I should pray too.

-Any news from Badajoz? -Modáfar sends us gold,

but not troops.

My Lord, we don't have enough men to face Castile.

I know, Nuño. I know that.

What would I do without you?

Why didn't you come to the council?

León's affairs are no longer my concern.

Where is the Urraca that has always been by my side?

Mother's death affected me too.

Stop complaining like a housemaid.

You have the strongest kingdom.

The nobles are with you, what more do you want?

I want you.

I don't know if I've made a mistake.

You know that Sancho won't stop until he gets back what he considers his.

Are you afraid that he will attack you if you let his army pass through León?

What should I do, Urraca?

What's the matter with you?

Tell me.

I only bring bad luck to those who are by my side.

I'd better go back to Zamora.

You can't go to Zamora. Not now.

The council thinks I should attack Sancho when he comes through León.

Don't do it. He will have his entire army

and with their hunger for battle intact.

So what do I do? Urraca...

If you want me to help you,

I will.

If García were to win, it would ease the situation

and you would be the only one to keep your promise to Father.

I doubt that García has an army like that of Castile.

Sancho's strength lies in Ruy.

Divide them and García will win.

If he doesn't, you will have weakened Sancho.

But Ruy is loyal to Sancho.

He will never abandon him, no matter how much I offer.

There's always a way.

Orduño.

My Lord?

Sancho will pass through León tomorrow.

-Have the army ready. -I will prepare it right now, My Lord.

Do you plan to attack our brother?

Attack? Sancho is the one who attacks.

I'm not the one who started a war with García.

-You can't do that-- -Elvira!

Don't talk about things you don't understand.

My lady.

Elvira!

Haven't we suffered enough with the death of Mother and Father?

Let Alfonso do what he has to do. It's the best for everyone.

When Sancho confronts García,

Alfonso's troops will attack Sancho's from behind.

That's treachery.

You don't understand.

The order is to kill Ruy, not our brother.

Without Ruy, it will all be over.

You're talking about killing Ruy.

I'm talking about saving your brothers.

Blood is most important above all else.

I told you that we could not trust my brothers.

If García attacks from the front and Alfonso from the rear, we are lost.

What do we do?

We can't get caught between a rock and a hard place.

-Let's go back to Castile. -I will not back down!

That's a sign of weakness that I'm not willing to show.

-It would buy us some time. -I said no!

By my sainted mother, tomorrow we shall be walking on Galician soil!

-I have an idea. -Well, then let's hear it.

We divide the army.

Two leagues ago, we passed through a ravine.

If we ambush León's army at this point...

we'll be able to stop them.

You want to attack García with half of the army?

Why not, Velarde?

Half an army is more than enough to defeat García and conquer Galicia.

Your Highness, give the order,

I will stop the Leónese in that ravine myself.

Velarde, the Leónese want my head.

Your Highness, let me be the one they find.

Ruy!

Make Alfonso regret his betrayal.

I shall. I'll leave immediately.

Come on.

I need men. We leave at once.

Wait. I still have to win my chainmail back.

My sword. I bet my sword.

What are you doing here?

I was waiting for the nobles, My Lord.

I was also thinking.

Do you want to share your thoughts with the king?

This time tomorrow...

we may be with our God.

Are you afraid of death?

No.

The only thing that torments me is having to face my friends.

I am more afraid of killing them than of dying.

I am sorry that your loyalty forces you to such a horrible duty.

I would rather die at your side

than live on the side of those who attack you.

I do fear death.

That's why I want to tell you something, Nuño.

Anything, My Lord.

I love you more than a brother.

My Lords...

That's enough.

Don't you hear it? Don't you hear that pounding that never ends?

I can't hear anything, my lady.

Lie down. This will do you good.

-Have the troops left yet? -What troops do you speak of?

The army to attack Sancho.

There is no army, my lady.

King Alfonso is on a hunting trip with Orduño.

How could you?

I'm sorry.

I'm sorry, my lady, but you are not allowed to leave the castle.

King's orders.

Step aside, Vellido, I'm the Lady of Toro.

And your brother is the king of León.

Look at that idiot. He's still drunk!

Damn it. Damn it! My clothes.

My weapons. Telmo, where are my weapons?

Where are my weapons?

You lost them gambling, along with your reputation as a good soldier.

My Lord!

Give me clothing and weapons. I swear I will fight with the strength of ten men!

Telmo, my horse.

Let's go!

There is not enough to buy troops.

No, but there is enough to pay for ours.

You promised that the Emir of Badajoz would send us an army.

What kind of king cannot dominate a Moorish vassal?

The kind of king who will punish you if you don't show respect.

I always considered the Galician knights of Ribadavia to be brave.

Brave, but not stupid.

If Sancho appears with his army, he will have twice our number.

Numbers don't matter if God is with us, you cowards!

Nuño, no.

Nuño, be calm.

Calm down, Nuño!

Then meet with God!

No!

No.

Nuño.

The Virgin heard me.

She heard me.

Halt!

He has not brought all his troops.

We outnumber them, My Lord.

So what? This is just a quarrel between brothers.

But the blood that will be shed is ours.

Move aside!

What are you doing here?

Defending my kingdom.

Yes, flee like rats!

God looked upon you favorably,

and only He knows why. He gave you a king!

A king is a king, damn it.

You, Sancho, what do we care? Why should we fight for you?

Because I am your king. Yours alone!

You are all I have,

and I am your only hope of being a kingdom, you bastards!

Am I not Galician enough for you?

Wait till you meet my brother.

Do I not love this kingdom enough? I'm willing to die for it!

Am I not man enough for you?

Are you, you cowards?

Today is the day to prove it!

You call yourselves lords, nobles, knights.

By what right do you rule over what you are not prepared to defend?

Do you want to remain the backyard of Castile forever?

No!

Were you born servants?

No!

Then follow me! And spill your blood along with mine.

Because if you don't, you will remember me as the last king of Galicia.

-Hail to the king! -Hail!

-Hail Galicia! -Hail!

-Hail to the king! -Hail!

-Hail Galicia! -Hail!

Hail Galicia!

Ruy, shouldn't they be here by now?

They should.

One of Alfonso's soldiers.

Kill him before he sees us and raises the alarm.

It's not a soldier. That's a woman's cloak!

Who are you?

Jimena. What are you doing here?

I bring an urgent message from my lady Elvira.

What message?

You have been deceived.

Alfonso isn't bringing an army, he wanted to divide Sancho's forces.

-What? -Elvira was tricked.

And now she fears that Sancho's life is in danger.

Why did you come to tell me?

Because they wouldn't let her leave the court.

Of course, but...

Why did you do it?

Out of loyalty to my lady.

You also owe that to Orduño.

You didn't come just out of loyalty.

Do you mistake me for your Moorish woman?

No!

Velarde!

García!

No!

Damn it!

To the hill!

Blessed is the day I gave you weapons to fight!

My Lord! We have only delayed our fate!

They are beating us!

Retreat!

Everyone to the hill!

Stand fast! For Castile!

Archers!

-They will kill us, My Lord! -I will not surrender!

Then let's die!

My Lord, look!

Telmo!

The king of Galicia has fallen!

Victory!

Victory!

Victory!

Victory!

The king has fallen!

Your father was always very proud of you, Sancho.

And so am I.

My sword.

May God judge me

and forgive my sins.

This is the price of victory.

For someone to win a land or a state, good men must always die.

My Lord. Forgive me.

What do we do with this man?

He has served me with honor in battle.

His only crime was to follow a king

who tried to defend his father's inheritance.

Approach.

As the new King of Galicia...

I hope to have your vassalage just as my brother counted on it.

Do I have your loyalty?

Kneel.

My Lord...

What of Nuño?

I don't see him among the living or the dead.

He died serving me.

You don't need to know anything else.

He was the first of my men

and the best of them.

Our men have confirmed it. Sancho has won the battle.

What about García? Is he alive?

Your brother is alive, but was taken to Burgos as a prisoner.

What happened?

Ruy's troops arrived at the last moment.

How is that possible?

Don't underestimate Ruy. He's smarter than you think.

-How many casualties? -They say it was a slaughter.

We must attack now.

Attacking without declaring war is a crime.

My Lord, this is our chance.

Equip the army. Be prepared.

You've changed.

You're not the same since Mother's death.

I'm trying to make up for the mistakes I made when Mother was alive.

We swore before her and before Father not to harm each other.

You certainly have changed.

Leave me. I want to think.

You've been making that face since you were little.

You know it doesn't impress me.

You tricked me.

-And you betrayed your brother Alfonso. -Sancho is my brother too.

You didn't do it for Sancho and we both know it.

And you?

What are you thinking about?

Warning Ruy?

I always knew there was a hawk hiding behind those frightened fawn eyes.

I want to renounce Toro.

And what are you going to do?

Will you give it to Sancho so he will let you marry Ruy?

Do you really believe that any of your brothers would allow you to?

None of them would.

Not even Sancho would want to have a rival like Ruy for the throne.

I don't understand how you made it back in time.

We still have friends left in León.

Alfonso deceived us, do you realize that?

It is impossible to trust my brothers' word.

My Lord, we have a problem.

Alfonso has got what he wanted.

We are decimated and we still have to pass through León.

Do you think he'll attack us?

Wouldn't Your Highness do the same in his place?

León is close, but night is upon us.

We'd better make camp to gain time. We will cross tomorrow.

In our state it is better to cross León at night.

And what do you propose? That we cross in secret, like outlaws?

On the contrary. I want them to see us.

Shit! Where are the others?

Wake up, warriors!

We need more men on the wall!

Come on! To the south tower!

To the south tower, fast!

Archers, to your positions!

Two torches for each man!

Pray to God that this works.

My Lord, from that far away,

they'll think we have twice as many soldiers.

That doesn't look like a defeated army.

My Lord, it can't be. My men assured me that half the army had fallen.

Your Highness, shall I give the order to attack?