Tom,
I did some research, and found that the three elven rings contained the power to heal and perserve.
Of the Rings of Power in the Silm, and from the The Council of Elrond. Most telling is when Elrond says:
Quote:
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The Three were not made by Sauron, nor did ever touch them… They are not idle… But all that has been wrought by those who wield the Three will turn to their undoing…
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The Council of Elrond, LotR, II, 2.
So, it appears that the three rings were certainly used. However, it still begs the question of whether Gandalf used Narya as Círdan seems to suggest. I’m leaning toward no, because using a ring of power seems out of character for Gandalf, and it would be difficult for Saruman to miss a big red ring on Gandalf’s hand when Gandalf is imprisoned. Of course, Gandalf could have taken the ring off when he visited Saruman.