Secret of the Wings 2 (2025) is an exciting prospect for fans of the Disney Fairies franchise, which began with Tinker Bell (2008) and expanded through several sequels, including Secret of the Wings (2012). The original Secret of the Wings film focused on Tinker Bell’s discovery of her sister, Periwinkle, a frost fairy from the Winter Woods, and their journey to uncover the truth behind their connection. A sequel to Secret of the Wings could delve further into the magical world of Pixie Hollow and explore new adventures for Tinker Bell and her friends.

Here’s a speculative breakdown of what Secret of the Wings 2 (2025) could bring:

Story:

Tinker Bell and Periwinkle’s Continued Bond:
- Secret of the Wings 2 could focus on the further development of Tinker Bell and Periwinkle’s relationship as sisters. After the events of the first film, they may continue to navigate the challenges of their differing fairy talents and backgrounds—Tinker Bell being a tinker fairy and Periwinkle being a frost fairy.
- The sequel might explore how their bond grows stronger as they learn more about each other’s worlds. Perhaps Tinker Bell spends more time in the Winter Woods and vice versa, leading to fun and heartwarming interactions as they share their distinct perspectives on life.
A New Magical Discovery:
- The central conflict could revolve around a new mystery or discovery in Pixie Hollow or the Winter Woods. The fairies could encounter an ancient artifact, magical creature, or hidden realm that has been overlooked for centuries, bringing Tinker Bell and Periwinkle together for an adventure that challenges their knowledge of magic and fairy lore.
- This new discovery might put Pixie Hollow at risk, forcing the fairies to work together to protect their world. The story could involve uncovering a hidden truth about the origins of magic in Pixie Hollow, or perhaps a dangerous force from the past is awakened, threatening the peace between the different realms.
The Role of Winter and Spring:
- Since the Winter Woods and Pixie Hollow have distinct seasons, the sequel could explore the relationships between the different fairy groups even more. For example, the Spring fairies, led by Tinker Bell’s friends like Silvermist and Rosetta, could be at odds with the Winter fairies due to the changing seasons or environmental issues affecting the balance of nature.
- The themes of balance between the seasons and the importance of each fairy group’s role could be explored, with Tinker Bell and Periwinkle taking on the role of uniting their respective realms to prevent environmental chaos. The film could highlight the interconnectedness of nature and the importance of working together to maintain harmony.
A New Villain or Threat:
- A new villain could be introduced, possibly a fairy or creature who seeks to control or corrupt the seasonal magic that governs Pixie Hollow. This villain could aim to exploit the rivalry between the Winter and Spring fairies, threatening the very essence of what makes Pixie Hollow and the Winter Woods special.
- The villain might use magic to cause a disruption in the balance between the seasons, causing the fairies to confront a challenge that requires them to work together in unprecedented ways. The villain could be a misunderstood character who learns the value of cooperation by the end, or a more traditional antagonist who seeks power over nature.
Themes of Friendship and Teamwork:
- A core theme of the movie could focus on the value of friendship, teamwork, and accepting others who are different. Tinker Bell and Periwinkle’s relationship represents how two people from different worlds can come together and grow stronger through their differences. The movie might explore how other fairies, like Fawn, Rosetta, and Iridessa, work together with Tinker Bell and Periwinkle to solve problems and protect their home.
- The importance of diversity, cooperation, and appreciating one another’s unique qualities will be a key theme, as the fairies must unite to face challenges that affect both the Winter Woods and Pixie Hollow.

Characters:

Tinker Bell: The beloved tinkering fairy will likely continue to serve as the central character, learning new lessons about leadership, teamwork, and the importance of her sisterly bond with Periwinkle. Tinker Bell will face new challenges as she steps into roles that require both creativity and diplomacy.
Periwinkle: Tinker Bell’s frost fairy sister will play a significant role in the sequel, with her winter magic and skills being crucial to the unfolding adventure. Periwinkle’s character arc could involve her gaining confidence in her abilities and discovering her place in both the Winter Woods and Pixie Hollow.
Silvermist, Rosetta, Fawn, and Iridessa: Tinker Bell’s friends from Pixie Hollow will continue to be important supporting characters, contributing their unique talents to the story. Each fairy could have their own sub-plot that ties into the larger narrative of teamwork and magical balance.
New Characters: Secret of the Wings 2 could introduce new fairies or magical creatures from different regions of the fairy world, expanding the scope of Pixie Hollow. These characters could bring new magical abilities and perspectives to the story, or even serve as obstacles that challenge the existing fairies.
The Villain: The antagonist could be a new character who seeks to exploit the magical balance between the seasons or a rival fairy who is driven by personal gain. This character could be a foil to Tinker Bell and Periwinkle, pushing the sisters to work harder to protect the natural world.

Visual Style:

As with the previous films, Secret of the Wings 2 would likely feature breathtaking animation, with lush forests, sparkling fairy homes, and magical creatures brought to life in vibrant colors. The contrast between the warm, colorful Pixie Hollow and the icy, beautiful Winter Woods will offer stunning visual contrasts, highlighting the magic of both realms.
The winter scenes, in particular, could be a visual highlight, showcasing delicate snowflakes, sparkling ice sculptures, and the unique beauty of the frost fairies’ world. The magical creatures and environments will continue to feel immersive and full of life, creating a world that feels as if it could exist just beyond our own.

Music:

The soundtrack could continue the enchanting and whimsical melodies of the first film, with additional songs that emphasize the themes of adventure, friendship, and discovering new places. Expect an emotional and magical score, with new original songs reflecting the themes of seasonal balance, sisterhood, and growth.

Tone:

Secret of the Wings 2 will likely maintain the lighthearted, family-friendly tone of the first film, mixing magical adventures with heartfelt moments. The story will balance fun, comedic sequences with emotional arcs, particularly in Tinker Bell and Periwinkle’s evolving relationship. The tone will be one of wonder, discovery, and growth, with a sense of unity at its core.

Overall Expectations:

Secret of the Wings 2 (2025) would be a magical continuation of Tinker Bell’s story, focusing on her relationship with her sister Periwinkle and their journey to maintain the balance between the seasons. With new magical discoveries, exciting adventures, and heartwarming moments, the sequel will likely deliver everything fans loved about the first film, while expanding the world of Pixie Hollow and introducing new characters and challenges. Fans can expect beautiful animation, a captivating soundtrack, and a positive message about teamwork, friendship, and embracing differences.

A Farmer’s Misplaced Hammer Led to the Largest Roman Treasure in Britain

Hoxne Hoard treasures. Photo by Helen Simonsson CC by SA-2.0

November 16, 1992 was the day which changed Suffolk-resident Eric Lawes’ life in a huge way. What he thought would have been an innocent search for a hammer he had misplaced on his farm in Hoxne Village, Suffolk, England ended up bringing him much more than he had bargained for — namely, uncovering the hiding spot of a long-hidden treasure. Based on the Guardian’s coverage of the story, Eric Lawes had been previously gifted a metal detector upon his retirement as a parting token. He decided to put his retirement gift to good use in order to locate the hammer which he had had some trouble finding. According to a 2018 Smithsonian Magazine article, when the device started recording that there was a strong signal coming from the earth, he knew that he was about to discover something big. As he started digging, it soon became clear to him that he had unearthed a treasure trove.

Hoxne Village. Photo by Duncan Grey CC BY-SA 2.0

The Guardian reports that, when Lawes saw that his preliminary digging had yielded a few gold coins and silver spoons, he immediately contacted both the local archaeological society and the police department. Archaeologists came to the property the following day and had the area of earth holding the treasure carefully sectioned-off and removed. Their hope was that at a later stage, in their laboratory, they could examined the items in order to identify both their age and how they were stored.

Hoxne Hoard: Display case at the British Museum showing a reconstruction of the arrangement of the hoard treasure when excavated in 1992. Photo by Mike Peel CC BY-SA 4.0

When all was said and done, close to 60 pounds of items made from silver and gold were found on the site. These included more than 15,000 Roman coins, 200 gold objects, and several silver spoons. For archaeologists, this find — which later became labeled as the Hoxne Hoard — was an incredible discovery. AP News reported that archaeologist Judith Plouviez was over-the-moon about the discovery, saying that it was “an incredibly exciting and amazing find.” What’s more, another archaeologist, Rachel Wilkinson, told Smithsonian Magazine that this discovery was “the largest and latest ever found in Britain.”

Hoxne Hoard: Coins. Photo by Mike Peel CC BY-SA 4.0

Ordinarily, archaeologists would use radiocarbon dating as a means of identifying the age of ancient relics. However, they couldn’t locate any suitable material from the haul. Consequently, they determined the age by examining writing on the coins, as well as the ruler carved into them, estimating that the treasure was probably buried in either 408 or 409 AD.

The silver “Hoxne Tigress” – the broken-off handle from an unknown object – is the best known single piece out of some 15,000 in the hoard. Photo by Mike Peel CC BY-SA 4.0

Roman-era archaeologist Peter Guest told Smithsonian Magazine that “if you look at them a little more carefully, then they should be dated to the period after the separation of Britain from the Roman Empire.” He offers as part of his evidence the fact that almost all of the coins found in the Hoxne Hoard were clipped – in other words, small chunks of their edges had been taken off. These clippings would have been used to create coins which were similar to the Roman coins of that era.

A silver-gilt spoon with a marine beast from the Hoxne Hoard. Currently in the British Museum. Photo by JMiall CC BY-SA 3.0

Guest has a logical reason for this, arguing that “The Roman Empire wasn’t supplying Britain with new gold and silver coins, and in light of that, the population tried to get over this sudden cutoff in the supply of their precious metals by making the existing supplies go further.”

Reconstruction of the Hoxne treasure chest. Photo by Mike Peel CC-BY-SA-4.0

Archaeologists also believe that the treasure belonged to a Romano-British family. During that time, considering that there was so much societal discord and upheaval, it was common for Romans who had settled in Britain to bury their most prized possessions.

Two gold bracelets from the Hoxne Hoard, in the British Museum. Photo by Fæ CC BY-SA 3.0

That said, one archaeologist is of the belief that the hoard had a lot of sentimental value for the Romano-British family to whom it is believed to have belonged. In her book The Hoxne Late Roman Treasure: Gold Jewellery and Silver Plate, Catherine Johns claims that the manner in which the treasure was kept supported this claim. Some of the items which were recovered had been packaged in small, wooden boxes which were lined with leather. What’s more, pieces of wood, locks, and nails, among other things, surrounded the gold and silver pieces. This leads Catherine to assert that the package was carefully buried and not simply chucked away in a rush.

Three silver-gilt Roman piperatoria or pepper pots from the Hoxne Hoard on display at the British Museum

Interestingly enough, the items unearthed might shed some light on the identity of the family who owned them. They cite a gold bracelet bearing the inscription “UTERE FELIX DOMINA IULIANE,” which roughly translates to “use this happily Lady Juliane”. A second name “Aurelius Ursicinus” has also been discovered. This has consequently led some to believe that Juliane and Aurelius were the couple and the original owners of the treasure. That said, that has yet to be confirmed.

Two toiletry items, one in the shape of a crane-like bird; the other with an empty socket, probably for bristles for a makeup brush. Photo by Fæ CC BY-SA 3.0

All in all, the discovery was a real treasure for archaeologists, and by extension, for Lawes. According to Smithsonian Magazine, in recognition of his discovery and willingness to contact authorities, the British government rewarded him with over £1.7 million, an amount which he shared with the farmer whose land was dug out in order to get the treasure. Funnily enough, apart from the treasure, Lawes also found his lost hammer — which now resides in the British Museum.