Know Your LotRO Lore: The Three for Elves

As stated previously, the Three Rings of the Elves were created apart from the sixteen for Men and Dwarves, so their powers were drastically different. Curiously enough, while these rings did not grant invisibility to their owners, they became invisible to all but other ring-bearers. No Elf actually wore these rings throughout the Second Age, as they were quickly hidden once the Elves became aware of Sauron's intentions.

We'd bet that you envisioned the remaining Rings of Power to look just like the simple golden One Ring, right? This is not true at all, as all other rings were adorned with special precious gemstones. This was especially noted by Tolkien when it came to these Three Rings. The rings were so powerful and important to Tolkien that they are also the only other ones he named and described in great detail.

The first ring was named Nenya, the White Ring. It was given to Galadriel who wore it until the end of the Third Age. She used it to defend and beautify Lothlorien, but was soon burdened by its power which made her yearn for a return to the West. Once she realized this, she advised Celebrimbor to send the other two rings further west out of Sauron's grasp. Celebrimbor listened to Galadriel, sending the remaining two rings to Gil-galad in Lindon, west of where the Shire would be three thousand years later. This ring was made of mithril and set with what is believed to be an Adamant, making it one of the most valuable, aside from it's history.

Next there was Narya: the Red Ring, aka the Ring of Fire. It was set with a Ruby and is the ring that eventually landed in the possession of Gandalf when he arrived in Middle-earth around T.A. (Third Age) 1000. This ring became a wedge between Saruman and Gandalf as Saruman because jealous and resentful of Gandalf's gift.

Finally we have Vilya, the Blue Ring. This ring was held by Gil-garad until just before his death, when he gave it away to Elrond, appointing him vice-regent in Eriador. It is thought that Elrond actually used Vilya to create much of the beauty of Rivendell.

At the end of Return of the King, in the year T.A. 3021, Galadriel, Gandalf and Elrond leave on a ship to the Undying Lands with Frodo and Bilbo, ending the Three Rings' appearance in Middle-earth, and ultimately, the Third Age itself.