Meriel grew up in a small village. Her mother was a teacher and her father a preacher. Her life was safe and sheltered and she was always looked after. Despite her mothers profession, they didn't have enough money to send her to school, and therefore she taught herself, and happily so. She made friends with animals in her youth, rather than other kids, and she was okay with this. She spent (still does) most of her time with her nose in one of her mothers academic books. She always had access to academic material and religious scriptures and therefore could get lost in it all.
When Meriel was 23 she decided it was time for her to make her own way. Her parents begged her to stay, her mother breaking down in tears, but she felt almost, required, to go. She packed her favourite books, some money, and snacks for the road, and off she went. She's been travelling ever since, writing letters to her parents every few months when she gets a moments rest in an inn, or lodging with kind strangers.
