Thanks for the compliment,
jallanite!
I agree with what you said, and will just add a couple of more points. First, Gandalf later pointed out (correctly) to Thorin that he was '
not making a very splendid figure as King under the Mountain'. The same could be said to Bard as prospective Lord of Dale, in his refusal to recognise Thorin's title. Second, after the arrival of reinforcements from the Iron Hills, led by Dain, the Elvenking is less eager than Bard to fight: '
Long will I tarry, ere I begin this war for gold'. Here, I think, speaks the voice of an experienced ruler, even if he is greedy and imprisoned Thorin and Company.
