Mellos

Mellos succeeded Grand Maester Runciter in 112 AC upon the latter's death, taking his place at the court of Viserys I.

He supported the marriage between Laenor Velaryon and Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen, even though Laenor was known to have no interest in women. He also advised the king to pardon his brother, Prince Daemon Targaryen.

In notes later used by archmaester Gyldayn, Mellos implied that the children Princess Rhaenyra had with Laenor Velaryon were in fact Ser Harwin Strong's. He even suggested that King Viserys himself had ordered the 120 AC fire at Harrenhal, to kill Harwin and end the risk that he might reveal the children's true parentage.

Lord Lyonel Strong, Harwin's father and the King's Hand, also died in that fire. Mellos proposed appointing a younger man to the post and put forward several candidates, but Viserys ultimately restored Ser Otto Hightower to the office.

In 126 AC King Viserys cut his hand on one of the Iron Throne's blades. Mellos treated the wound, but the king soon developed a fever.

Princess Rhaenyra then brought her own maester, Gerardys, to court. Gerardys amputated two of the king's fingers, saving his life.

Mellos died in 127 AC, collapsing one night while climbing a spiral staircase. His death left the post of Grand Maester of the Iron Throne empty and set off a struggle between the Blacks and the Greens, each faction pushing to place one of its own in the role.

King Viserys chose none of the candidates put forward by either side, reminding both that it was the Conclave of the Citadel that chose the new Grand Maester. Archmaester Orwyle was eventually the one appointed.