[Scott]

I really have to agree with you here too. Every relation that Melkor and Sauron had with the elves was bent towards putting the screws to Eru: orcs and goblins, the silmaril episodes.

I also see this as a direct connection to the silmarils as well. They were made by the elves, there were three of them, and they were made into implements of deception. I think Sauron may have been dipping into Melkor's bag of tricks when he came up with the idea for the ring!