Alester Tyrell

Alester Tyrell, known more commonly as Mern Gardener, is the personal assistant of Dirk Telarien, Hand of the Queen. The younger brother of Arkham Tyrell, Alester defied the wishes of his wealthy and powerful family by studying as a Maester at the Citadel. However after several years of study he was expelled for the Citadel for repeatedly failing to maintain his vows of chastity. Disgraced, destitute, and unwilling to return home to Highgarden, Alester took the name "Mern Gardener", posing as just another fake descendent of the old Kings of the Reach, and took work as a healer in various Essosi mercenary companies. Drinking himself to death in a tavern in Qohor, he was found by Dirk Telarien, who took him into employment and soon realised the young Maester's skills. Returning to Westeros with the Company of the Phoenix, Alester works closely with the Hand of the Queen, keeping his true identity a secret from all.