[Annunfuiniel]

Yes, the three elven rings were forged free of the influence of Sauron. But still when the One Ring was made its power extended to them also. Maybe this came to happen 'cause Sauron knew about their existence and thus could bind them to the One's "spell". That meaning that if they had been found Sauron could have used them for his evil purposes. But the difference lies in just that: he couldn't find/see them because he hadn't had any staight influence in their forging. Still the destiny of the Three was forever bound to the fate of the One.
There you go, feel free to disagree. [img]smilies/smile.gif[/img]
Oh, one more thought: maybe the declining of the powers of the rings was also related to the diminishing of their bearers? The time of elves and wizards was over once the Ring was destroyed...