[Manwe Sulimo]

Well, I can't answer your questions about Gandalf actually wearing Narya, but I can help (a little) on the last part.

The phrase "The Secret Fire" could have two possible meanings that would fit with Gandalf's character. The first is, obviously, Narya. The Three were kept hidden, or, a secret from Sauron and the general population of Middle-earth (e.g. anyone not on the White Council or one of the Wise). Since Narya was the Ring of Fire, it makes sense that it could be the "Secret Fire".

The second, less likely theory of mine goes back to The Silmarillion. Gandalf was fighting a Balrog, one of the servants of Morgoth, who had once been a Maia and presumabley took part in the Music of the Ainur. The Balrogs, Sauron, and Melkor ceased to be servants of Ilúvatar (or perhaps not...it could be that they were still following the theme and serving Eru) when they brought destruction unto Arda and "subcreated" the Orcs. In this sense, Gandalf's words could mean that he is a servant of the Flame Imperishable, and through that, a servant of Arda, the Valar, and Eru, and that he would destroy the enemy of life and the Free Peoples of Middle-earth. This, however, seems less likely, since Melkor knew about the Flame Imperishable, and so it was probably not a "secert", per se.

Well...those are two cents.

[ December 29, 2002: Message edited by: Manwe Sulimo ]