did i play this like a chickenshit?

[riverboatking]

the reason i didn't bet the turn was i didn't want to open myself up for the check raise semi-bluff if this guy had a hand like A5 hearts and picked up the flush draw. if i bet and he raises i have to lay it down. however if he has a weaker ace he may value bet the river in which case i'll win more when i'm ahead and lose less when i'm behind.
i'm not worried too much about free cards because its highly unlikely he's playing QJ here and if he has either an ace weak kicker or a K he is drawing to very few outs.
my real question was whether i should value bet the river and or bet the flop harder. i am okay with my turn check as the board pairing no kills my domination of a weaker ace. however i think there is a chance a king will pay me off for a small value bet on the river.
hmmmm.........