Personality: Thranduil possesses the wisdom of the Elves, yet, in his case, he is far more demonstrative with his emotions than his Elven kin. I believe most of his pain and anger comes from past battles with the Orcs of Mordor; battles with other (lesser) Serpents/Dragons (where he sustained his horrible facial wounds) and the loss of his father Oropher (which occurred in the Battle of Dagorlad). Because of the trauma and loss he has suffered, he wishes to protect his people - even if he has to forsake others to do so. In his mind, no one is more important than those who follow him and his kin - which is why he leaves the Dwarves to flee Smaug instead of standing beside them to combat the Dragon.
Such an alliance would have likely ended in misery - even if they achieved a victory. Besides, the Dwarves had withheld precious gems from him - including the Arkenstone - so he saw no reason to risk his life and the lives of his people. Thranduil has a strong love for gems - and he wishes to possess many of the jewels the Dwarves collected in their stronghold - however he does not take kindly to being denied.
With age, comes wisdom, however even an Elven-King can be childish at times.
However underneath his almost childish/callous approach to the world outside of his Woodland Realm (particularly with the Dwarves), Thranduil does show moments of possessing a softer heart. He could have easily tortured the Dwarves when they entered his domain. Instead, he tried to aid them by keeping them locked up - and fed! - so that they would not approach Erebor and lose their lives in the Dragon's fire. (He was kinder in the book. He let the Dwarves have free-run of the stronghold until they were rude to him. Then he withheld his hospitality and locked them into cells.) Thranduil's reasoning for doing so was quite simple: he wanted Thorin to learn from the mistakes of his father and grandfather. When he saw Thorin was following the same path as his predecessors, he deigned the leader a danger to himself and his followers. Thus, in his own way, he was "protecting them from themselves" (which never goes over well when pride is involved on both sides).
It is no surprise, then, that his bedside manners (in relation to the Dwarves) leave much to be desired. Thranduil makes it clear that he doesn't care for them: mainly because he believes they are liars and fools (due to the fact that they follow the, to him, suicidal path of their kin). However not caring for them does not mean he wants to see them killed: he would rather they learn from the past and settle down in a new home. His message is one he makes clear to those who serve under him (Legolas and Tauriel do not harm the Dwarves as they escape down the river).
In fact, his attention is soon turned on the real threats to his realm once the Dwarves are out of his reach (i.e. the Orcs, Wargs and Spiders). Thus Thranduil is not blinded by his distaste - and he will not chase the Dwarves to the ends of Middle Earth. He will only attempt to teach them (and keep them safe) while they are in his kingdom.
His pride is what stands in the way of him making any real progress with the Dwarves. Truth be told, his intentions are usually good, but his pride tends to lend a dark, cold edge to his words. At his heart, his people - particularly his family (which is composed of a nameless female Elf, his son Legolas and Tauriel to some degree) - mean more to him than his own life. He would sacrifice himself for them; he would even allow himself to be seen as a coward if it kept them safe. (Which is how he differs from some of the Kings that preceded him. The problems of Middle Earth do not interest him - nor does he want to include himself or his people in them. As long as his Woodland Realm endures, Thranduil will not budge to anyone's aid.)
In summation, Thranduil is a proud Elven-King who protects his kingdom passionately. He can be downright childish at times when he is denied something he wants, but underneath that childishness is a dash of wisdom. His dearest wish is to see his kingdom - the kingdom of his father, Oropher - blossom and stay strong even in the darkness of oncoming storms. There will always be wars, but there is only one kingdom like his. The Woodland Realm is his precious gem and he will block the whole world out if need be.
Note: As for how he will treat others in the city, his pride will be very apparent. Anyone younger than him (which is pretty much EVERYONE), will be taken with a grain of salt. However it isn't impossible for him to feel fond of some of the residents. Eventually. And if that day ever comes, they will find themselves under his protection.
Understood! That first version was far too bare. :)
Such an alliance would have likely ended in misery - even if they achieved a victory. Besides, the Dwarves had withheld precious gems from him - including the Arkenstone - so he saw no reason to risk his life and the lives of his people. Thranduil has a strong love for gems - and he wishes to possess many of the jewels the Dwarves collected in their stronghold - however he does not take kindly to being denied.
With age, comes wisdom, however even an Elven-King can be childish at times.
However underneath his almost childish/callous approach to the world outside of his Woodland Realm (particularly with the Dwarves), Thranduil does show moments of possessing a softer heart. He could have easily tortured the Dwarves when they entered his domain. Instead, he tried to aid them by keeping them locked up - and fed! - so that they would not approach Erebor and lose their lives in the Dragon's fire. (He was kinder in the book. He let the Dwarves have free-run of the stronghold until they were rude to him. Then he withheld his hospitality and locked them into cells.) Thranduil's reasoning for doing so was quite simple: he wanted Thorin to learn from the mistakes of his father and grandfather. When he saw Thorin was following the same path as his predecessors, he deigned the leader a danger to himself and his followers. Thus, in his own way, he was "protecting them from themselves" (which never goes over well when pride is involved on both sides).
It is no surprise, then, that his bedside manners (in relation to the Dwarves) leave much to be desired. Thranduil makes it clear that he doesn't care for them: mainly because he believes they are liars and fools (due to the fact that they follow the, to him, suicidal path of their kin). However not caring for them does not mean he wants to see them killed: he would rather they learn from the past and settle down in a new home. His message is one he makes clear to those who serve under him (Legolas and Tauriel do not harm the Dwarves as they escape down the river).
In fact, his attention is soon turned on the real threats to his realm once the Dwarves are out of his reach (i.e. the Orcs, Wargs and Spiders). Thus Thranduil is not blinded by his distaste - and he will not chase the Dwarves to the ends of Middle Earth. He will only attempt to teach them (and keep them safe) while they are in his kingdom.
His pride is what stands in the way of him making any real progress with the Dwarves. Truth be told, his intentions are usually good, but his pride tends to lend a dark, cold edge to his words. At his heart, his people - particularly his family (which is composed of a nameless female Elf, his son Legolas and Tauriel to some degree) - mean more to him than his own life. He would sacrifice himself for them; he would even allow himself to be seen as a coward if it kept them safe. (Which is how he differs from some of the Kings that preceded him. The problems of Middle Earth do not interest him - nor does he want to include himself or his people in them. As long as his Woodland Realm endures, Thranduil will not budge to anyone's aid.)
In summation, Thranduil is a proud Elven-King who protects his kingdom passionately. He can be downright childish at times when he is denied something he wants, but underneath that childishness is a dash of wisdom. His dearest wish is to see his kingdom - the kingdom of his father, Oropher - blossom and stay strong even in the darkness of oncoming storms. There will always be wars, but there is only one kingdom like his. The Woodland Realm is his precious gem and he will block the whole world out if need be.
Note: As for how he will treat others in the city, his pride will be very apparent. Anyone younger than him (which is pretty much EVERYONE), will be taken with a grain of salt. However it isn't impossible for him to feel fond of some of the residents. Eventually. And if that day ever comes, they will find themselves under his protection.