Mithril shield in ice cave

I would like to know what kind of mind would use a booby trapped shield as the target of a quest? I had already found the shield before I was given the quest and was unable to pick it up. I went back to town and was given the quest. I went back and when I picked up the shield I got GAME OVER.There was no Yveen to scold me and put me back in action so I had to load from my last saved game. Is this intentional? I tried several times to pick up the shield with other members in my group but the end was always the same. GAME OVER.
Can the shield be picked up?
Can the shield be picked up?