Thanks to the upcoming slew of The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey merchandise heading our way, we now have our first look at Evangeline Lilly as Tauriel.  The character doesn't appear in J.R.R. Tolkien's novel, but back in January, Lilly described Tauriel as a warrior and head of the Elven Guard.  "She’s the big shot in the army," said Lilly. "So she knows how to wield any weapon, but the primary weapons that she uses are a bow and arrow and two daggers. And she’s lethal and deadly."  So basically she sounds like female Legolas.  Lilly also added that her character would have a larger role in the second movie, although this was back when there were only two movies.  It will be interesting to see how Tauriel gets divided up between Unexpected Journey, The Desolation of Smaug, and There and Back Again.Hit the jump to check out the image.  The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey opens in 3D on December 14th.Via TheOneRing.net:hobbit-evangeline-lillyHere's the official synopsis for The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey:

The adventure follows the journey of title character Bilbo Baggins, who is swept into an epic quest to reclaim the lost Dwarf Kingdom of Erebor from the fearsome dragon Smaug. Approached out of the blue by the wizard Gandalf the Grey, Bilbo finds himself joining a company of thirteen dwarves led by the legendary warrior, Thorin Oakenshield. Their journey will take them into the Wild; through treacherous lands swarming with Goblins and Orcs, deadly Wargs and Sorcerers. Although their goal lies to the East and the wastelands of the Lonely Mountain, first they must escape the goblin tunnels, where Bilbo meets the creature that will change his life forever...Gollum. Here, alone with Gollum, on the shores of an underground lake, the unassuming Bilbo Baggins not only discovers depths of ingenuity and courage that surprise even him, he also gains possession of Gollum's "precious" ring that holds unexpected and useful qualities... A simple, gold ring that is tied to the fate of all Middle-earth in ways Bilbo cannot begin to know.