Quote:
Originally Posted by thrash
I thought the reference was to "cold wrought iron" -- that is, to iron worked by hammering, without heating. That this was used to work meteoritic iron before the invention of forges probably cements the connection.
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I've seen that interpretation, and it might be right.
Another common interpretation is that 'cold' is used in the same sense as 'cold reality' or 'cold facts', a reference to iron's unyielding strength, its non-negotiability. The Fae are all about illusion, imagination, emotion, iron is harsh, strict, unyielding, the antithesis of Faerie. Sometimes gold is associated with the Fae in opposition to iron, gold is beautiful but soft, flexible, desirable. Iron is ugly, strong, 'cold', not associated with fantasy or desire, but iron is stronger than gold.