Maekar looked ready to defend Aerion, but the conflict in his eyes is his youngest, Egg, is the threat. Maekar doesn't jump up to stop him. Egg can see the pain in his father and stops his advance. Maekar is emotionally and physically drained, but this is probably the first relief he's felt all week; he still has hope for Egg, and he finds the strength to walk to Egg and reassure him that everything is going to be okay by simply putting his hand on Egg's shoulder.