The Muslims offered to make peace with the Franks, promising to convert into Christianity. The Franks need to select a messenger to send the message to Marsilla, the king of Muslims in Saragossa. Roland, a promising knight, nominated his stepfather Ganelon, and Ganelon was not happy about it.
CLIMAX
Driven with madness and envy, Ganelon tells the Saracens how they could ambush the rear guard of Charlemagne's army, which will surely be led by Roland as the Franks pick their way back to Spain through the mountain passes, and helps the Saracens plan their attack.
FALLING ACTION
Roland volunteered to lead the rear guard. Among the men whose with Roland are the wise and moderate Oliver, and the fierce archbishop Turpin. They went according to Ganelon prediction and headed through the mountain passes.
RESOLUTION
Ganelon and the Saracens ambushed the rear guard lead by Roland in Roncesvals. Roland and his men are at disadvantage. Oliver told Roland to blow oliphant but Roland proudly refuses and said that they can take the enemies on without any help.
At the last moment of his life, Roland blew the horn in hopes that the emperor, Charlemagne, will see what happened to his man and avenge them. Roland blew the oliphant so hard, his temples burst and dies a glorious martyr's death.
When Charlemagne and his army arrived in the battlefield, all that is left are dead bodies of his men. The pagans have fled, and the Franks chased them to river Ebro, where they all died drowning. The Franks learned of Ganelon's betrayal and gave him the most painful death.