But I don't think you make a lot of sense.

First, you say you thought Perrin solved everything by throwing away the axe, which has nothing to do with him a) being a Lord, or b) dealing with his wolfness. But then you correctly point out that everything was put on hold while he rescued Faile. Yes, this is exactly what happened.

I think he flatly says so in tGS, and has this realization. And the realization that he hasn't been the leader the people deserve.

Regarding the hammer and the axe, I think the fact that his enjoyment of the kill remains AFTER the axe was thrown away (he enjoyed the kills to rescue Faile, even with the Hammer) has made him realize it's more than just about the hammer/axe decision, that his wolf/ness is a part of him, and his enjoyment of killing. He may not like some of it, he may not be able to do anything about it, and it may be a sign of his humanity slipping away. Hence, he now has to deal with it to hold onto himself, or the self he aspires to.

And you don't like Moiraine? What, are you twelve? Here is a woman who has devoted 20 years of her life, and risked it countless times, to save the world, find the Dragon, and keep him safe. And willingly sacrificed herself to do so.

Yes, she is not without flaws, but the good far outweighs the bad. And the facts are these.

One, in the beginning, she knew FAR more than the Two Rivers folk, and they would have been far better served if they would have listened to her (tell her about the dreams, stayed near the inn, not wandered around Shadar Logoth, etc).

Two, she realized as early as tGH/tDR that their plans for manipulating Rand had to change, and told Siuan as much. And later swore to obey Rand so she could teach him all she could. No AS pride got in the way there. And look at the way she starts to treat Egwene among the Aiel. Very different from earlier. And how she treated the Aiel. Very different from how the Salidar AS viewed them, yes?

In short, are you a Coplin or a Congar? If you have no shame, have you no gratitude for what she's done? Saved the world at least three times by saving Rand (getting him out of the Two Rivers, from Be'lal, and from Lanfear), killing a Forsaken in the process.