In House of the Dragon Season 2 Episode 6, Aegon II (Tom Glynn-Carney) finally wakes up after being unconscious for several days due to horrible burns and other injuries he suffered at the Battle of Rook’s Rest. Aemond learns about this when Grand Maester Orwyle arrives at the Small Council meeting and announces Aegon’s condition. This prompts Aemond to visit his wounded brother and give him something intriguing. Viewers are now eager to know what this item is and its significance.
Here is what Aemond hands over to Aegon II in House of the Dragon Season 2 Episode 6.
What did Aemond hand over to Aegon II in House of the Dragon Season 2 Episode 6?
Aemond hands over one of the stone balls/marbles from the Small Council to Aegon II in Season 2 Episode 6. During council meetings, members take the balls and place them in their designated slots in front of them, officially announcing their presence. However, these balls do not exist in any of George R. R. Martin’s books.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, set decorator Claire Nie Richards and production designer Jim Clay proposed the idea during the production of season 1. “It represented the council coming in and being part of the meeting,” Richards explained.
Ryan Condal, who co-created the series with Martin, liked Richards and Clay’s suggestion and compared it with how employees in many companies in the real world mark their attendance. “Everybody shows up for work and they punch in. I thought it was really cool. It’s a way of visualizing the set formality of the Small Council chamber. It’s enjoyable; we should have things that we like in this world,” Condal explained.
What is the meaning of Aemond giving Aegon the marble?
By giving Aegon one of the stone balls or marbles from the Small Council, Aemond sends a clear message to his older brother, effectively telling him that he will be always part of the meetings in spirit while barring him from attending them in person. The way the scene unfolds accentuates Aemond’s true reasons behind it.
The scene is intense, Aemond grabs Aegon’s hand and puts the stone in it before pressing their joined hands on his brother’s burned body, causing him excruciating pain. Aemond implies to Aegon that he must not tell anyone what really happened at Rook’s Rest. Realizing the immediate danger he faces from his sibling, Aegon reluctantly agrees to keep silent.
Additionally, by giving Aegon one of the stones, Aemond also asserts his control over the Small Council as the Prince Regent. He threatens Aegon against attending the meetings so that his authority can never be overruled by anyone.
