Gwaine loved nobody but himself, everyone knew that, but few knew that about a year ago, a little more than that, he was absolutely in love. Her name was Elizabeth.

They both loved each other, but he loved the tavern more, so he broke up with her when she started getting mad at him every time he went there.

He never talked about her, the only one of his friends who knew about that beautiful woman, was, of course, Merlin.

~•~•~•~•~•~

-Sorry, could you please help me? - a woman carrying a six month old baby asked the first knight she saw, who happened to be Lancelot.

-Sure. What's wrong?

-I just want to find my baby's father, and I heard that he is a knight now. Maybe you know him...

-Yeah, probably, and if I don't, I'm sure Arthur would be glad to help. What's his name?

-Gwaine. - he was surprised. He had never talked about a woman, let alone a daughter. But then again, he hadn't asked either.

-He's in the market, probably buying some apples. He won't be hard to find, he's in his uniform.

-Thank you, uh...

-Lancelot. My name is Lancelot.

-Well, thank you, Sir Lancelot. You are very kind.

The little girl laughed looking at Lancelot, which made him smile, although he didn't fail to notice the flash of gold in her eyes, or the beautiful blue butterflies that flew around her after that. The woman panicked and ran with her daughter to the market.

~•~•~•~•~•~

-Gwaine!

-Elizabeth? What are you doing here? I thought you lived in a village near Ealdor.

-I do. But it's too dangerous for our daughter to live there.

-Our daughter? But... We've been apart for more than a year now

-Yeah. I was a already pregnant when you broke up with me. A month. That's why I wanted you to stay out of the tavern. Anyway, meet our daughter, Katherine. She's gonna live with you from now on.

-What? No! I'm a knight, I don't have time for children.

-I don't care if you don't sleep or if they kick you out of the castle, you will take care of your daughter. And don't you dare abandon her just to go to the tavern.

-But I know nothing about babies.

-Yeah, neither did I when she was born. You will learn.

-I don't want to learn. I hate children!

-Well, you don't have a choice!

Elizabeth smiled and put the baby, who was sleeping, in her father's arms. He almost dropped her, though. He really knew nothing about taking care of babies. Katherine opened her pretty eyes and when he saw them, he knew that he would do anything and everything to protect her. He could see the innocence and love in her big, beautiful eyes.

-Are you sure she's safer with me? In a castle that is always under some attack?

-Yes. Everyone in my village want her dead.

-Why?

-Because she was born with magic - she whispered. He looked at his daughter's eyes again and smiled. If she had magic, it couldn't be as evil as they all thought.

-This is Camelot. Isn't it more dangerous?

-You're Gwaine. You'll think of something. I must say, though, that this knight called Lancelot or something like that, already knows, so be careful.

-Oh, don't worry, I'll make sure he doesn't say a word about her.

-Thank you. Please try to be the father she deserves.

-I will.

~•~•~•~•~•~

When Gwaine found Lancelot, he didn't hesitate to corner him against the wall and put his hand firmly on his throat, while carrying his daughter with one arm.

-If you say a single word to anyone, anyone, about my daughter's gifts, Lancelot, I promise you will regret it. Understood? - he threatened.

-She's just a baby, with or without her gifts. I wouldn't do anything that could put her in danger.

-Good, I don't want to hurt you.

-And it won't be necessary. I don't think magic is evil, anyway.

Gwaine let go of his friend and held Katherine closer. Lancelot found that extremely cute.

-Is everything alright here? - Leon asked.

-Yes. What did you hear?

-Nothing, but I saw your hand on his neck.

-Don't worry, Leon, everything's fine. - Lancelot said with a smile.

-Are you sure? 'Cause if he hurt you or threatened you, I could talk to Arthur and make sure he gets punished for his behavior.

-It's not necessary. I did something that made him mad, he just wanted to clear that up.

-Alright. Try not to make him mad again, he seemed ready to kill you.

-Yeah, Gwaine looks scary when he's being serious. Thank you for worrying, though.

-No problem. - he smiled and finally noticed the baby - Gwaine, whose baby is that?

-That's none of your business.

-Where's her mother? GWAINE, WHAT DID YOU DO!? - the baby girl woke up, crying, and her dad looked at Leon with anger before humming and rocking the girl gently, calming her down.

-I didn't kidnap her, if that's what you think.

-Is she your daughter, or are you babysitting her?

-Like I said, it's none of your business. - he walked away, carrying his daughter carefully

-Gwaine... GWAINE!

-What?

-We have training.

-Oh. Well, tell Arthur I'll be a little late.

~•~•~•~•~•~

-Merlin, can I ask you a favor?

-Sure. What do you need, Gwaine?

-I need you to take care of my daughter while I'm training. And... If something weird happens, don't tell anyone.

-Daughter? Since when do you have a daughter?

-Well, since she was born, obviously. I found out today, though. Please take care of Katherine in a private place, I'll cover for you if Arthur asks.

-You're gonna get me in trouble, Gwaine.

-Please, Merlin. They can't know I have a daughter. If Morgana finds out and does something to her...

-They're your friends. They wouldn't tell her.

-Not willingly. But she could do so many things...

-They will help you protect her.

-Fine. After training, bring her to the armory, and I'll tell them.

~•~•~•~•~•~

-You were distracted, Gwaine.

-Yeah.

-And late. What was so important?

-His daughter. She's a good girl, by the way. She didn't even cry. - Gwaine took her from his friend's arms.

-Guys, she's my daughter, Katherine. She's gonna live with me from now on, and if any of you touch her, I'll kill you. -he smiled as if he hadn't just threatened his friends.

-Ah, so she is your daughter. Why did you deny it?

-Shut up, Leon. I didn't want to put her in danger. If Morgana touches her, I'll blame you all.

-She's a little angel. We will protect her. - Lancelot said, and Gwaine knew that he meant he would protect her secret too.

-Thanks, Lance.