well Anders refused Richard as ruler right??? But with their decision I think they helped Richard a lot to win the war and I think Goodkind wrote their horrible past only to make us see that with their decision about refusing Richard they unconsciously helped him and so IMO Terry make them refuse Richard only to purify their tainted souls (I don't know if you understand my words it's a difficult concept to express)
" I'm the one of the prophecies. I AM Fuer Grissa OSt Drauka. I'm the true Seeker of Truth because I'm the only one who could make the blade become white. I'm Lord Rahl and I'm searching my Mother Confessor......."